Between the ongoing sagas involving Atkins-Grad and Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, the city seems ready to star in a reality TV show.

On Wednesday, Flansbaum-Talabisco appealed an appeal court's ruling to reinstate corruption charges against her. Her challenge might delay a second suspension from office, but it won't do much to help the city move forward.

And then there's Atkins-Grad. The embattled commissioner, who faces voter recall after being acquitted of corruption charges last year, could be in hot water for an incident at a community rally Tuesday.

Some residents say Atkins-Grad threw water on Kevin Muscolino, a local businessman, after she saw Muscolino and his 11-year-old daughter wearing recall T-shirts.

Atkins-Grad's version? She couldn't be reached for comment, despite messages left on her cellphone by the Sun Sentinel. No action was taken against Atkins-Grad by Broward Sheriff's deputies on site, but Muscolino said he plans to pursue the matter with prosecutors.

According to a Broward Sheriff's Office report, a deputy heard Atkins-Grad say the recall backers would "burn in hell." A sergeant's supplementary report quoted Atkins-Grad as saying, "I can't believe [Muscolino] is crying about this, I just spilled a little water on him."

Did I mention this happened at a Night Out Against Crime rally? Oh irony, thy name is Tamarac.

After Atkins-Grad's acquittal, I wrote it would be best if she resigned from public office, because her "I'm stupid/ignorant/incompetent" defense was going to make her politically untenable.

But she's been defiant in staying, and the stress of the recall movement is clearly taking a toll. She really needs to go.

Atkins-Grad was accused of taking a downpayment for a BMW and victory party from developers Bruce and Shawn Chait in exchange for her approval of a townhome project.

Flansbaum-Talabisco's problems also stem from the Chaits, who turned state witnesses after a plea deal. But the mayor didn't take cash or a car. Instead, she allegedly got campaign help in exchange for her support of their project, with the Chaits paying for an opinion poll and attack fliers against her opponents.

Last year, Broward Circuit Judge Cynthia Imperato dismissed the case, saying Flansbaum-Talabisco didn't personally gain. But last month, an appeals court overturned Imperato's decision, ruling that the Chaits' largesse could be considered an improper benefit.

If the case goes forward, prosecutors still must prove there was a corrupt deal made between the Chaits and Flansbaum-Talabisco.

The appeals court wrote, "We are cognizant of the fact that the line between a legitimate and innocent campaign donation and one engineered to bribe a public official can at times be difficult to discern…Not every campaign contribution is a bribe in sheep's clothing."

The big question: If Flansbaum-Talabisco can be charged, does it open the door to other prosecutions against politicians who get campaign contributions and then act on behalf of contributors? How do you draw the line?

Flansbaum-Talabisco wants the full 11-member appeals court in West Palm Beach – or the Florida Supreme Court – to decide the issue, with her attorneys calling it "of exceptional importance and statewide application." The first appeal, brought by prosecutors, was decided by three judges.

The jury's still out on whether Talabisco committed a crime, or is just guilty of sleazy South Florida politics as usual. Either way, citizens lose. In Tamarac lately, nobody seems to win.